Buffalo Sabres’ Top 10 Prospects for 2026-27

He can skate, he can hit, he can shoot, he blocks pucks, he runs plays, he stops plays, and he does everything else in between. Truly one of the best “Swiss Army knife” players to come out of any recent draft, the Sabres have a reliable prospect in him. Will he end up being an NHL superstar? Not likely. But his odds of being a consistent NHL player look extremely good based on how he works and plays the game.

6. Maxim Strbak, Defense

One of the longer-standing current prospects in the Sabres’ system, Maxim Strbak was a second-round pick in 2023 and has developed very well since his draft day. Consistently getting a little better each season, the 6-foot-2 Slovakian defender has shown that his development path will be worth the wait. Another right-handed shooting defender on this list, Strbak is a two-way style defender who has good instincts at both ends of the ice.

Originally being a more stay-at-home defender early on, he has blossomed to be willing to be more creative and take more chances as he has grown up a bit. Having finished his college career with 102 games played, scoring eight goals, and putting up 46 points before joining the Sabres’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Rochester Americans at the end of last season, he will have a lot to build on as he starts his pro career and has his first full season in Rochester in 2026-27.

5. Brodie Ziemer, Right Wing

Brodie Ziemer has been one of those prospects whom people really needed to keep their eyes on for the past few years. He was chosen by the Sabres in the third round of the 2024 Draft, and since he was chosen, it has been nothing but praise for the dynamic and likable young forward. He is the definition of a leader, and an absolute spitfire of a player.

He captained the U-18 World Juniors USA team in 2023-24, and then the U-20 USA team in 2025-26, scoring a total of four goals and amassing 18 points in the 12 games those two years. Meanwhile, he has been a solid contributor to his college team at the University of Minnesota, putting up 35 goals and 59 points in 74 games while attending there.

Ziemer is the kind of prospect whom the Sabres can be patient with, but as his growth continues to shoot upward, he will make a case to make the team in some capacity once he has the chance to. His leadership qualities are undeniable, and he is a prime example of what it means to be a Sabre. He works hard, he doesn’t quit, and he plays a team game above everything else. Easily one of their most underrated prospects, and one of my personal favorites in their system.

4. Prokhor Poltapov, Left Wing

Prokhor Poltapov is a standout prospect in the Sabres’ system because he has not played a single game in North America since being drafted by them. He was a second-round pick by the Sabres in 2021, and since then has spent his time in Russia honing his skills. Easily one of the best forwards on this list, the 23-year-old winger could be plugged into the Sabres roster tomorrow if he decided to leave the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and join the NHL.

A great passer, brilliant shooter, and all-around good offensive threat, Poltapov has all the tools to be an NHL sniper. Since 2022, he has played for CSKA Moskva and amassed 43 goals and 103 points in 166 KHL games. He has the hands to fool goalies and make plays on his own, or to fool defenders and make plays to his teammates. Either way, he is one of the best forwards the Sabres have left in their prospect pool.

3. Daxon Rudolph, Defense

Easily the Sabres’ best offensive defenseman prospect, their recent fourth-overall pick from the 2026 Draft brings size, speed, and a big shot to their future blue line. Daxon Rudolph is a dynamic playmaking and shooting defender who can create and control plays from both ends of the ice.

Another right-handed shooter, he has all the makings of being a top-pair defender for the Sabres if his development path pans out right. The University of Denver commit scored 28 goals and put up 78 points in 68 games in his draft year, and he will look to be just as big of a threat while he grows into a professional defender. He’s got the size, the speed, the shot, and the skills to be a threat. He just needs time.

2. Radim Mrtka, Defense

Radim Mrtka is a towering and physically imposing right-handed defender whom the Sabres took ninth overall in 2025. Standing 6-foot-6, he uses his reach and his size to move opposing players to where he wants them, and to make plays with ease. While it can cause him to lose his position occasionally, he still has great skating ability and is able to recover well.

Mrtka is the kind of defender who will not go around with a ton of flash for his offensive moves, and he is not really much of a goal scorer, but he excels at shutting down plays and taking up space all over the ice.

His playmaking is solid, and his willingness to both take and give hits is encouraging, as he does not shy away from the boards or any physical area. Mrtka is a prospect whom the Sabres can be patient with considering how good their current blue line looks, but with how quickly he learns and progresses, it will not be very long before he sees NHL playing time.

1. Konsta Helenius, Center

Holding the number-one ranked spot for the third straight year is Finnish center Konsta Helenius. He played his second full professional season in North America as he played 63 games with the Americans, recording 21 goals and 63 points.

When he was called up for a few games in the NHL and for the playoffs this season, he really showed how much he grew in just one season. In his nine regular-season games with the Sabres, he scored one goal and had four points, and in the playoffs, he scored two goals in four games. Beyond the simple numbers that can be read on the scoresheet, Helenius showed a lot more.

He showed his versatility, and that really has been the hallmark of his game since he was drafted. He is a smart, playmaking center who is still willing to shoot and put the puck on net, or skate back hard and play defense before even considering jumping too deep in a rush. He plays with his head, and he outsmarts his opponents. It was clear how talented he could be if given the right opportunity, and he will likely get a real shot this season with the Sabres.

With Alex Tuch gone and there being a need to fill some roster spaces, Helenius has likely seen his last day on a prospect list and will blossom into a reliable NHL player very, very soon. Some of the other players on here should, too.